The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reiterated its commitment to cancer prevention and care as it partners with the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination.
This collaboration aims to improve access to cancer care, strengthen public health interventions, and reduce preventable deaths, particularly among women in the FCT.
Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, made this known in a statement marking the 2025 World Cancer Day.
She emphasized that February 4 is globally recognized as a day to raise awareness, advocate for better healthcare access, and reduce the burden of cancer on individuals and communities.
Dr. Fasawe in a statement signed by Mrs Bola Ajao, her Special Media Assistant highlighted that this year’s theme, “United by Unique,” aligns with the FCT’s commitment to providing equitable and compassionate cancer care.
She outlined key initiatives aimed at curbing cervical cancer prevalence, including: Free HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14; Pap smear screenings in all FCT government hospitals; and Training of primary healthcare workers in cervical cancer detection using visual inspection techniques.
She described the recent visit of the National Task Force on Cervical Cancer Elimination, led by former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, as timely.
According to her, the FCT plans to leverage the expertise and resources of the task force to enhance its efforts in prevention, vaccination, screening, testing, and treatment.
Dr. Fasawe further noted that the FCT was selected as the first state for engagement by the task force due to its outstanding performance and commitment to healthcare initiatives.
She emphasized the importance of collective action to ensure the success of the advocacy campaign.
Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, primarily due to late detection and limited access to quality medical care. Global statistics from 2022 indicate that approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 9.7 million deaths were recorded. In Nigeria alone, an estimated 127,000 new cases and 79,000 deaths occurred.
To address this challenge, the FCT Administration (FCTA) has implemented several interventions, including: Colposcopy screening services at Wuse District Hospital every Thursday; Chemotherapy management at Asokoro District Hospital.
Cancer prevention activities in collaboration with the City Cancer Foundation, including stakeholder mapping, needs assessments, and executive council engagements.
Training of primary healthcare workers from 62 basic healthcare facilities in cervical cancer detection using acetic acid and Lugol’s iodine.
Despite advancements in cancer prevention and treatment, late-stage diagnosis, misinformation, and limited treatment facilities continue to contribute to high mortality rates.
Dr. Fasawe stressed the urgent need for increased awareness, early detection, and expanded treatment options, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO), which ranks cancer as the second leading cause of death globally.
Dr. Fasawe underscored the importance of addressing stigma, misinformation, and delayed treatment, all of which hinder effective cancer management.
She revealed that the FCTA is working towards establishing fully equipped cancer centers to expand access to affordable cancer care, particularly in underserved areas.
“Despite being preventable and treatable, cervical cancer continues to claim lives due to late detection and inadequate healthcare access.
Through strategic partnerships and improved healthcare infrastructure, we aim to change this narrative,” she stated.
With this renewed commitment, the FCT Administration is set to play a pivotal role in advancing cancer prevention, early detection, and comprehensive care, ensuring that more lives are saved across the territory.
